Pet-related fines increase in Boone County

The fine for letting your dog run loose, or committing other pet-related offenses, is going up in Boone County.

The fine for letting your dog run loose, or committing other pet-related offenses, is going up in Boone County.

Starting Thursday, the minimum fee for a violation of the county’s dog-control ordinance increases from $50 to $75. The maximum penalty remains $500.

Citations can be issued by the animal-control department or any law-enforcement officer for an owner allowing his or her animal to run at large, failure to give the pet rabies shots, failure to register the animal or neglecting to have the pet wear proper identification of its recent shots.

A dog found running loose also may be impounded.

About 150 violations of the ordinance are recorded each year in unincorporated Boone County. The increased fee will generate about $3,750 more a year.